Fish mainly off Auckland's west coast. Got a bit of a taste last season and maybe have the bug. Boat is heading to boat builder soon for some alterations (alloy). Was looking at the job list thinking well while it's there........

Was thinking about one or two 6-inch tubes built into the transom, feed by Rule 1100 gph pumps. Overflow feeding live bait tank. 

Really like the idea of just one tube, it means one pump to feed both tube and tank, and a lot less clutter out the back. 

Thoughts? 

Tuna tubas are great if you actually have a live bait to go in them and you have a rod set up for live a live bait ready to go and you happen upon a workup. Then you need to decide whether to put out a tuna, kahawai or Jack mackerel (which may or may not be in the live bait tank all ready to go).

When marlin are working hard out rounding up skippies that is when a tuna tube is worth while.

Bear in mind this is all based on what I've heard others talking about, I'm lucky enough to hear a lot of this stuff from my involvement in the fishing club, so these are my thoughts only.

If you're really serious about game fishing then tuna tubes would be a good thing, I'm sure of that. I'm not sure I would use the overflow from the tubes to supply a live bait tank but someone with experience may be able to answer that one.

I have a tuna tube, I have used it but mostly it's used for thawing out a whole fish for bait.

I haven't missed them.

Had a tuna in the tube a few days ago for over half hr til I rigged it. Work just fine. I simply have them (1) there anyway - no reason not to. If I have a plan that may require them, then I fit the 2nd one up before hand - 5 mins.

Will send some pics tomorrow.

Alan

Down side is you need an extra rod. When you only have 2, that's a problem but we'll get there one day.

A single tube is worth way more than none. Two tubes ain't worth double one tube.

The tuna tubes give you good versatility. I only fish 2 rods. Used to fish 5. Those days are over - the other 3 are resting. If I had others in the boat I would put a 3rd rod in. But 2 is generally enough - especially with the tube option. You can store your livie and rig it later at your leisure. No rush. You only need 1 rod then.

Alan

You don't need a live bait for that situation. What you can do is travel with some pre rigged frozen baits - Koheru, skippies etc. I nearly always take some rigged frozen baits with me. They don't mind frozen. But that is the time to chuck something/anything with a hook in it, over the back.

I once was bottom fishing in 3-400m and pulled up a couple of smaller fish. Next thing I see 2 mahi swim by - obviously attracted by the fish. I was only set up for bottom fishing but had 2 frozen rigged skippy baits in the bin. I quickly clipped one on and threw it over and motored slowly off. bam. Mahi on. Wasn't slightly bothered it was an ice block. Time he figured that out was too late. I put him in the bin and chucked the 2nd bait - there was a mate somewhere. Took a couple of minutes and had that one on too. Unfortunately it fell off. But it makes the point that having some rigged frozen baits in the boat is a good plan B.

Alan

Last year by the time of the Counties Classic in early March the fish seemed to be getting very lure shy, with most success being those who used live baits. While I'm not that into comps I pay attention to the results as it's a very good snapshot in time about what works. I guess even one tube gives you options and that's always a good thing.

No comments about using a 6-inch tube vs 8-inch? My thinking was a 1100 pump would handle that better than having to step up to a larger 17a Rule pump etc.

As for baits;

Live bait trumps dead bait, which trumps no bait.

Alan

Alan

So I designed them to catch the bait I wanted - which is not necessarily the biggest bait you can get. But you don't need big bait to catch big fish. Yes, putting the biggest bait out will deter smaller fishes. But in practical terms that tube will hold a bait any amount big enough to catch a marlin (I didn't design it for that).

But I have caught  a marlin on a garfish bait - the nearest NZ equiv would be a piper.

I hooked a big sized marlin today on a skirt lure not much bigger than my thumb. It bypassed a similar lure 50% bigger to take this guy. That sized tube will hold plentybig  enough bait to catch a marlin. If you choose to uopscale then the proportions go with it - flow rate etc.

Alan

The 17a pumps draw 15.5A which is truck loads, while the 1100 only draws 3.3A. I'm not going to miss 3.3, but 15.5 along with electronics, radio etc.  That starts to add up quick. No point setting up tubes if your hesitant to turn them on because they are using potentially half your alternator output.

I have a feeling the 1100gph will draw more than 3.3A. If not, good luck. I think thats what I have - will check. Will try and check the A, but I had something like 8 in mind.

Let you know if I find something. But 150mm is plenty big enough - you will fit any useful bait in there. An important feature is a cone in the bottom.  One tube is heaps better than none - if you want to bait fish. In general, it will be enough.

Regards

Alan

Regards

Alan

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Good luck.

Regards

Alan